[ANALYSIS] Aventura Rewards
CIBC is sort of in a limbo phase where they are still hanging on to the Aeroplan program, but we are uncertain for how much longer. That being said, they do have their own travel loyalty program called Aventura Rewards.
There are 4 credit cards that you can sign up for to help you earn Aventura points:
- CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card
- CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card
- CIBC Aventura Visa Card
- CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Business
If CIBC loses Aeroplan, a lot of weight is going to be put on the Aventura program, unless CIBC can partner with other loyalty programs for a co-branded credit card.
Below will be an analysis on the value of Aventura points. There is actually a wide variety of rewards that you can redeem your points for, but today, we will focus on the travel rewards. Below is a chart that you can refer to if you choose to redeem your points for flights.
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Aventura Flight Rewards Chart |
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Destination |
Points Required |
Maximum Ticket Price |
|
Canada and U.S. (Short Haul) Within a province or U.S. state or to an adjoining province or territory or U.S. state |
10,000 – 20,000 |
$400 |
|
Canada and U.S. (Long Haul) From any location in Canada or U.S. to any location in Canada or U.S. (except Hawaii and Alaska) |
25,000 – 35,000 |
$800 |
|
Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Central America, Caribbean From any location in Canada or U.S. to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Central America or Caribbean |
40,000 – 60,000< |
$1,000 |
|
Europe From a major gateway in Canada or U.S. to select destinations in Europe |
50,000 – 70,000 |
$1,300 |
|
Rest of the World From a major gateway in Canada or U.S. to select destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Middle East or South America |
75,000 – 125,000 |
$2,000 |
The biggest limitation to this rewards program is obviously the maximum ticket price. I believe that you can get more value earning actual airline points to redeem for reward flights. The maximum ticket prices will pretty much cover all the low season airfares, but may not cover high season tickets and pretty much will not be able to cover the cost of a first class fare.
The range in points depends on how expensive your plane ticket is. For example, for a long haul flight, a cheaper ticket can cost you as low as 25,000 points, but once you hit $800, you will need the full 35,000 points. If you go beyond the $800, you will need to cover the excess cost.
What’s great about the Aventura program is that you will not have to worry about blackout dates on reward flights. You just purchase the flight that you want and redeem your points.
Even though the maximum ticket price helps you cover your taxes and fuel surcharges, you also need to hang on to a Aventura credit card to keep accumulating points. That, in itself is a big issue for me. We are essentially stuck with the program and if we ever decide to cancel all of our CIBC Aventura credit cards, then what are we going to do with the leftover points? Furthermore, we are stuck with footing a $39 or $120 annual fee every year (depending on which product) we hang on to this credit card.
I would rather recommend the Capital One Aspire World Travel MasterCard over the Aventura program for these travel type of points.
It’d be great if CIBC could leverage more of their penguin mascot who showed up in many World Cup commercial breaks in 2014-think merchandise with penguin images that cardholders could get with points. Marketing team/agency have a peppy Aventura mascot-swag ideas needed!
I actually prefer that they cut down on the marketing ads and spend the money on waiving more first year annual fees.
Actually, the maximum ticket price does not include taxes and fees. Those are always tacked on top. It makes for not very good deals for points tickets.
You would have to optimize the price of the ticket to get the most value.
But yes, another reason why I have personally avoided this program. Better options elsewhere.